Press Council Chair Urges Journalists To Prioritise Accuracy Over Speed

Press Council of India Chairperson Justice Ranjana Desai on Sunday emphasised that journalists must prioritise accuracy and truth over speed and trends.

Addressing the National Press Day function, Desai highlighted that the press is facing several challenges, with the most concerning being a decline in credibility. “The arbitrary use of technology in mass communication has led to a growing spread of misinformation,” she said, according to PTI.

Desai stressed the wider responsibility of journalists, saying, “Their work does not end with reporting an event; it extends to verify facts, interpret them accurately and place them in perspective and not create news.” The event was attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and PTI CEO Vijay Joshi, among others.

“Accuracy should be valued more than speed, and truth should be prioritised over trends,” she reiterated.

She said the Press Council of India has updated the Norms of Journalistic Conduct, urging journalists to exercise greater care and responsibility in reporting. She also advised restraint when covering sensitive topics such as religion or the armed forces, where even minor inaccuracies can have serious consequences.

Desai highlighted the link between press credibility and financial independence, noting that the Council has urged state and Union territory governments to introduce group insurance schemes for journalists.

Addressing the growing role of artificial intelligence in journalism, she said, “Technology should help us find the truth, not twist or overshadow it. However advanced these tools may become, they can never replace the human mind – the judgment, conscience and sense of responsibility that guide every journalist to prevent the spread of misinformation,” PTI reported.

(With inputs from PTI)